Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Be Yourself

Hi Friends!
I thought you might like to see the collage Ms. Maddie made this summer. Isn't it amazing??? I love, love, love it--every single part of it!

Remember my quest to be intentional with activities this summer? Well...things didn't really go according to plan; too many things seemed to get in the way of keeping that schedule. However, one big summer project did work--at the beginning of the summer I bought 5 huge canvases and told the kids they could each make a piece of original artwork for their room. I asked each of them to think about a phrase that meant something to them. Then I let them choose their colors and papers and embellishments from my stash. The canvas above is what Maddie designed.

As an 8th grader, Maddie is knee-deep into middle school "girl drama." I tell you what, I thought middle school was bad enough the first time around, but watching my daughters navigate through 6th, 7th, and 8th grade has been darn right heartbreaking at times. Through it all, I've tried to let my girls know that it's okay to be themselves. They've learned that sometimes the best thing to do is just stay true to who they are.

I loved that Maddie picked this phrase for her artwork. She really is an amazing, unique, lovely young woman, and I hope this collage always reminds her to trust in her own fabulous self.